Mid-Western Regional Council (MWRC) commissioned tourism signage consultancy Wayfound to develop a whole of destination integrated tourism wayfinding and signage strategy (the Strategy). The purpose of the Strategy is to ensure that current and future signage facilitates safe and positive journeys and enhances the dispersal of visitors and their connection with the people and the places of Mid-Western Region (MWR).

• To improve directional and welcome signage.
• Supports touring routes, of which there are three touring routes promoted by DNSW that incorporate Mudgee Region
• Improve visitor and local navigation and experience in region.

Tourism signage is an extremely important element of any destination’s branding, marketing and visitor information strategies. Signage is critically important to presenting a consistent tourism experience and to retaining and dispersing visitors throughout the MWR. Signage also provides opportunities to raise awareness of the area’s attractions and features and encourage people to stop and visit.

The existing tourism related signage in MWR did not enhance the visitor experience or adequately direct visitors to the area’s many attractions. Business and tourism organisations along with business operators have requested that Council develop a Strategy to address this, with some of their concerns being:

• Lack of wayfinding and tourism signage to let visitors know the attractions, services and facilities available within the MWR and its towns and villages.
• Lack of unique and distinctive signage and imagery that showcases the MWR’s tourism experiences and entices visitors to stop, explore and stay longer.

The Strategy forms part of a suite of initiatives by MWRC to encourage visitors to stop, extend their length of stay and increase expenditure in the MWR.

WayFound conducted a wayfinding and tourism signage audit by identifying, documenting and photographing all wayfinding and tourism signage in the region. WayFound then used the findings to create the whole-of-destination integrated tourism wayfinding and signage strategy (the ‘Mid-Western Regional Tourism Signage Strategy’) to ensure consistent, lawful, and quality tourism wayfinding signage is in place to better direct visitors to tourism attractions, services and facilities across the region. Kim and the team at WayFound were instrumental in providing strategic recommendations and solutions for the region’s tourism wayfinding signage.

Mid-Western Regional Council recommends WayFound for their diligent work ethic, project commitment, experience, strong engagement with stakeholders, and value for money.

Alina Azar, Manager Economic Development, Mid-Western Regional Council